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CARCROSS, YT, Aug. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - The Carcross/Tagish First Nation
(C/TFN) met with Prime Minister Harper and the Honourable John Duncan,
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development yesterday in an
attempt to resume negotiations to secure fair and equitable funding for
the First Nation. Both the Prime Minister and Minister Duncan
acknowledged the funding issue and indicated that the government would
work to resolve it.

The meeting with Minister Duncan took place in Whitehorse before a
Conservative Party fundraiser attended by Prime Minister Harper on
C/TFN territory. The Minister claimed to be unaware of the extent of
the dire issues facing the First Nation and said that if funding was
unfair, the government would make it right.

"We had a frank and honest discussion with Minister Duncan," said C/TFN
Khà Shâde Héni (Chief) Danny Cresswell. "He listened and assured us
that he would immediately look at C/TFN funding and if it was unfair
compared to other self-governing Yukon First Nations, he would fix it."

The C/TFN Chief, a guest at the Conservative Party fundraiser held three
kilometres from their First Nation Council offices, also spoke to Prime
Minister Harper about the government-inflicted situation the First
Nation finds itself in and handed him a letter, explaining the funding
disparity and the need for the government to resume negotiations.

"Prime Minister Harper acknowledged that there was a funding issue, and
that Minister Duncan would resolve it," said Cresswell. "We have heard
promises like this before from the federal government, but coming from
the Prime Minister, we trust that Minister Duncan will be true to his
word and work towards a speedy resolution of fair and equitable funding
for our First Nation."

The C/TFN is a self-governing First Nation located in the Yukon's
southwest. Their territory surrounds a portion of the Klondike highway
that runs from Skagway, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon, including the
Nares River Bridge, which is a vital gateway for Yukon commerce and
trade.

The Carcross/Tagish First Nation is mandated to protect the environment,
health, education and Aboriginal rights of its people; to continue to
preserve and protect its culture and traditions; to protect and develop
its natural resources and strengthen its economy and the government of
the Carcross/Tagish First Nation for future generations.